I used to do a weekly post with a review of the past week and lots of links. Since many of you missed it, we will bring it to you again in 2026. I’ll be sharing photos and highlights from last week and what I read, watched, and listened to. We also share links to posts and other interesting things you don’t want to miss.
We let David choose what to wear every day. This is part of giving him ownership and responsibility in as many areas as we can. Yesterday he decided he wanted to wear my coat with his pants. We had a good laugh and he wore it a little!! 🙂
I eat this breakfast on repeat. Two eggs, 1/4 cup egg whites, and 1/4 cup cottage cheese all scrambled together and served with fruit, cottage cheese, and sourdough on the side. Start your day with 45 grams of protein.
On Friday, I drove to Lebanon, Tennessee (that’s where she works!) for a lunch date with Katherine.
I don’t remember all of us ever being in Lebanon, but we loved the downtown plaza area.
I ate it at Town Square Social and it was delicious! !
How cute is this restaurant??
We also went to this small bookstore and bought some used books.
There was also a big cart outside with free books!
Bought amazing cupcakes and bread pudding at Polly Sparrow Bakery!
I tried to pick up some great deals at Barnes & Noble this week, but instead This is what happened.
David is very interested in coffee makers now and helped Jesse make coffee this week. He’s really paying attention and absorbing things, and he’s learning a lot right now.
Thanks to a $20 membership deal, I went to Sam’s Club last week for the first time in years.
Read all about my trip and see what I got here.
At the recommendation of a functional medicine doctor, I started wearing a continuous blood glucose monitor. It was very insightful and I looked into the data thoroughly and learned a lot about what works for my body.
After every basketball game, these two fall in love with Silas and don’t want to let him go.
This week, Caitlin and RJ attended Cyrus’ basketball game!
Micah and David found a new toy this week. 🙂 Check out the video here that’s sure to make you laugh.
Our week didn’t quite end the way we expected. Jesse and I were planning to head out of town Saturday morning for a special anniversary getaway. On Friday night, Micah started complaining that his ear hurt, and Kirsten started crying because she had a fever and a sore throat. I took them to the pediatrician on Saturday morning and sure enough, they both had strep throat and Micah had an ear infection!!
Instead of a romantic getaway in this really cool yurt-like Arbnb that Jesse was trying to surprise me with, we had a “date” at the pediatrician’s office!! And we canceled our weekend plans to stay home and take care of our sick kids.
We were so grateful that they got sick before we left, rather than after we left, and were so grateful that they urged us to get them in right away so they could give us antibiotics. I was also very grateful that my Airbnb host let me change my dates at the last minute. We had a very relaxing and relaxed weekend at home…and now we are looking forward to our anniversary trip (again!)!
This week’s top Instagram posts
This one It became a hot topic this week. 🙂
Books I finished reading this week
Completely Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Wounds – Stephen has an incredible story of being raised by a father who was both extremely abusive and a preacher, and is very candid about how this affected him and led to a life filled with drugs and alcohol. But then Jesus won his heart and radically changed his life. This is a powerful story of redemption and forgiveness that really touched me deeply. It was a pleasure to interview him on my podcast. The episode will be uploaded this week! Stay tuned!
what i hear
This week, I started listening to an audiobook recommended to me by a follower. under the magnolia (I’m only 2 hours into it and I’m hooked, but I don’t know where it’s going to lead!) — And again this podcast Written by Ali Worthington Vision over resolution.
what i see
I’m still watchingWhen your heart callsPart of your afternoon workday allows you to easily do other things while you work. I’m almost done with season 1 (I’ve never watched this show before… can you believe it?) and I’m enjoying it. I’m surprised because it’s completely different from the kind of shows I usually enjoy.
we also saw Pilgrim’s Progress I spent this morning with the younger children because we were home sick from church, and it opened up so many great discussions.
In case you missed it – this week’s post
A day in my life – Welcome to a peek into my life! On Thursday, January 8, 2026, I documented my day on my Instagram stories. Since so many people liked it, I wanted to share it on this blog for those who missed it. See all photos, details and links here.
Gross profit and net profit: why it matters (and an easy way to calculate it) – Understanding the difference between gross profit and net profit is essential to budgeting. In this simple guide, you’ll learn what gross profit and net profit actually mean, why the difference is important, and a simple way to calculate each.
How to save money fast: Practical actionable steps for busy families – Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In this article, we’ll show you easy and practical ways to start saving money today and keep more cash in your pocket.
65+ Frugal Date Night Ideas (Free Printable List!) – Some of our favoritesdate nightIt has cost very little over the years and is still talked about today. That’s why I created this65+ Cheap and Free Date Night Ideas Free Printable— We help you connect, laugh, and make memories without stress, complicated reservations, or big budgets.
First Sam’s Club shopping trip in *years*! – I never thought I’d ever get a Sam’s Club membership again, but a few years later, after everyone kept telling me that Sam’s Club memberships save money and that I should check it out, when I was offered a $20 Sam’s Club membership, I decided to go for it. Check out this post to see the great deals I found!
This week’s podcast episode: My fun list for 2026
This week’s podcast episode This is a follow-up toepisodeHere I shared why I don’t set goals for 2026. If you haven’t listened to it yet, I recommend you listen to it first. Because it provides important context for everything we share here.
Today Jesse and I are taking a peek at my “fun list.” Rather than a traditional goal, this is a low-pressure, no-fail, creativity-inspired approach I’m taking this year. And with just 8 days until 2026, I’m already sharing how I’m reshaping my life (as of recording this).
I talk about the different ways I’ve learned to live without constant urgency. Years of non-stop pursuit of goals have put my nervous system into overdrive, and letting go of that pace has forced me to ask myself, “Who am I without a project that defines my worth?”
I will share that simply sitting quietly, arriving early, and giving myself space between tasks has actually been strangely calming and unexpectedly soothing. We’ll also cover some very practical examples. Everything from decluttering and organizing your home, creating better systems for the spaces you already have, and helping your children take more ownership, to discovering the joy of cooking, exploring new crafts like watercolor or embroidery, and simply enjoying small daily rituals like a cup of tea, a walk, a movie, or a show.
Along the way, I also reflect on how my fun list allows me to enjoy life without feeling pressured. No measurements, no stress, just inspiration.
listen here This year I’m changing the way I approach social media, sharing how I’m making Instagram a life-giving place again, and how I’m enjoying reading fiction not just for fulfillment but for fun. I hope this episode inspires you to try your own fun list, give yourself permission to slow down, and find joy in both the small and creative moments in your life. If you have any ideas to add to my fun list, please let me know!
Tell us about your week! Will something interesting happen? Have you read any good books, watched any good shows, or worked on any projects?
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
